Retraction apparatus and methods for endoscopic surgery

ABSTRACT

A first inflatable retraction device has a first inflatable chamber and a non-pressurized chamber inside the main chamber. The non-pressurized chamber is expanded by inflating a second inflatable chamber. The non-pressurized chamber enables the main chamber to remain inflated when an aperture is cut in the envelope of the main chamber, through which treatment is carried out. A second inflatable retraction device has an inflatable retractor and a maintainer. The inflatable retractor retracts the organ and the maintainer maintains the organ in its retracted condition after the inflatable retractor is deflated. The maintainer can be inflatable, and can be inside or outside the inflatable retractor. A self-retracting endoscope has an optical assembly with an expandable retractor fitted to its distal end. The distal end of the endoscope is inserted into the body with the retractor in a collapsed condition. The retractor is then expanded to retract organs that would otherwise obstruct the view from the distal end of the optical assembly. After observations are complete, the retractor is returned to its collapsed condition. An insertion tube enables cylindrical objects, such as packaged inflatable retraction devices, to be pulled, instead of pushed, into the body. The additional chamber of an inflatable retraction device having two inflatable chambers is filled with a slurry of a particulate solid in a liquid. The liquid is removed and the additional chamber evacuated to consolidate the particulate solid. This increases the retracting strength of the additional chamber.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/212,122 (U.S. Pat. No.5,522,790), filed Mar. 14, 1994; which is a divisional of applicationSer. No. 07/877,995 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,752), filed May 4, 1992; whichis a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 07/794,590 (U.S. Pat.No. 5,309,896), filed Nov. 19, 1991; which is a Continuation-in-Part ofapplication Ser. No. 07/706,781, filed May 29, 1991, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laparoscopy dates back to the turn of the 20th Century. Earlylaparoscopic techniques were used primarily for diagnostic purposes toview the internal organs, without the necessity of conventional surgery.Since the 1930s, laparoscopy has been used for sterilization and, morerecently, for suturing hernias. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,919,152 and 4,944,443are concerned with techniques for suturing hernias. Another recentinnovation is the use of laparoscopic surgery for removing thegallbladder.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 706,781, the application of which thisapplication is a Continuation-in-Part, describes an apparatus and methodwherein the abdominal wall is lifted away from the underlying abdominalorgans by an inflatable device which is introduced laparoscopically and,once in place, inflated to engage and lift an extensive area of theabdominal wall.

Even when such lifting techniques are used, it is still necessary toretract other organs to gain access to the organ or tissue to be treatedor observed. In other procedures, to gain access to the organ or tissueto be treated or observed, the organ to be treated must be separatedfrom tissue surrounding it. To obtain the necessary retraction, currentlaparoscopic procedures use several small metal or plastic retractorsinserted though a plurality of incisions. Because such retractors have arelatively small surface area, they tend to damage and/or cause traumato the retracted organs or tissue. Moreover, the requirement for aplurality of incisions to heal may delay the patient's recovery.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 794,590 (the "prior application"), ofwhich this application is also a Continuation-in-Part, describes anumber of retraction devices that are introduced into the body in acollapsed condition and, once in place, are expanded by inflating a maininflatable chamber, to retract organs or tissues and to provide accessto the organ or tissue being treated. The retraction devices describedin the application provide a relatively large surface area to the organor tissue being retracted so that retraction can take place with aminimal risk of damage to the retracted organ or tissue. Theserelatively large retraction devices include auxiliary means formaintaining their shape after inflation, such as an additional secondinflatable chamber having a cage-like structure, or a spring cagearrangement. These auxiliary means enable retraction to be maintainedafter the main inflatable chamber has been deflated by cutting aperturesin it to gain access through the retraction device to treat the organ ortissue being treated.

The retraction devices described in the prior application provide asignificant improvement in providing access to the organ or tissue beingtreated during laparoscopic surgery. Nevertheless, such devices haveproblems. When an inflatable retraction device with an auxiliary cagestructure providing a retraction effect equivalent to that of the mainchamber is in its collapsed state, its envelope has a significant bulk.The bulk of a retraction device in its collapsed state will be calledthe "collapsed bulk" of the retraction device. An inflatable retractiondevice that has a large collapsed bulk is difficult to package in itscollapsed state so that it can be inserted into the body through anarrow trocar tube (14 mm or less in diameter). Even when the packagecan be made small enough, it can be a tight fit in the trocar tube, andpushing such tight-fitting packages through the trocar tube isdifficult. The package tends to buckle when pushed, and consequentlyjams in the tube. Less bulky retraction devices are therefore desirable.

It is also desirable to have a self-retracting endoscope to simplifyendoscopic observation procedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, the word "organ" will be used to mean anorgan or a tissue that is retracted by a retraction device. The word"treat" will be used to mean both treat and observe, and the word"treatment" will be used to mean both treatment and observation. Theword "tissue" or the phrase "tissue to be treated" will both be used tomean the organ or the tissue that is treated through or inside aretraction device.

An inflatable retraction device according to the first aspect of theinvention has a first inflatable chamber that retracts the organ whenthe first inflatable chamber is inflated to an expanded condition. Thefirst inflatable chamber has a first envelope. The inflatable retractiondevice also includes a device that inflates the first inflatable chamberinto an expanded condition while in place in the body. Inside the maininflatable chamber is a non-pressurized chamber that has a secondenvelope attached to part of the first envelope. The inflatableretraction device also has a second inflatable chamber attached to thenon-pressurized chamber that expands the non-pressurized chamber into anexpanded condition when the second inflatable chamber is inflated.Finally, the inflatable retraction device includes a device thatinflates the second inflatable chamber.

The first inflatable chamber is inflated to retract the organ, and thenremains inflated, and continues to provide retraction, throughout thetreatment procedure.

The tissue is treated through an aperture in the part of the firstenvelope covered by the non-pressurized chamber. Instruments are passedfrom outside the body through a gas-tight port into the first inflatablechamber. From the first inflatable chamber, the instruments pass intothe non-pressurized chamber through a port that seals around eachinstrument, and is self-sealing when the instrument is withdrawn. Thismaintains the first inflatable chamber in its inflated state.Alternatively, all or part of the envelope of the non-pressurizedchamber can be made of an elastomeric material that seals around aninstrument passed through it, and is self-sealing when the instrument iswithdrawn. As a third alternative, instruments can be passed fromoutside the body through a duct connecting to the non-pressurizedchamber.

The collapsed bulk of an inflatable retraction device according to thefirst aspect of the invention is less than that of an equivalently-sizedinflatable retraction device of the types described in the priorapplication. This is because the volume the envelopes of thenon-pressurized chamber and the second inflatable chamber is less thanthe volume of the envelope of the additional chamber of the types ofinflatable retraction device previously described.

In a first method according to the invention of using an inflatableretraction device according to the first aspect of the invention toretract an organ inside the body to gain access to an adjacent tissue,the inflatable retraction device is placed in a collapsed state adjacentto the tissue. The first inflatable chamber is inflated into an expandedcondition to retract the organ, and the second inflatable chamber isinflated to expand the non-pressurized chamber into an expandedcondition.

In a second method according to the invention of using an inflatableretraction device according to the first aspect of the invention toretract an organ inside the body to gain access to an adjacent tissue,the inflatable retraction device in a collapsed condition is secured toan endoscope adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope. The distal endof the endoscope, together with the inflatable retraction device isinserted into the body and moved towards the tissue. The secondinflatable chamber of the inflatable retraction device is at leastpartially inflated to expand the non-pressurized chamber into anexpanded condition. This also expands the first inflatable chamber intoa partially-expanded condition. The endoscope is manipulated whileobserving through the endoscope to place the at least partially expandednon-pressurized chamber adjacent to the tissue. Finally, the firstinflatable chamber is inflated into a fully-expanded condition toretract the organ. The second method enables the part of the envelope ofthe first inflatable chamber covered by the non-pressurized chamber tobe placed accurately relative to the organ to be treated.

An inflatable retraction device according to a second aspect of theinvention has a main chamber that has an envelope of an elastomericmaterial. The main chamber is inflated while in place within the body toretract the organ into a retracted condition. The inflatable retractiondevice also includes a maintainer that maintains the organ in itsretracted condition after the main chamber is deflated. Using anelastomeric material for the envelope of the main inflatable chamberenables the collapsed bulk of the main chamber, and hence the collapsedbulk of the inflatable retraction device as a whole, to be reducedcompared with an inflatable retraction device having the same inflatedsize made from a substantially inelastic material.

In a first variation on the inflatable retraction device according tothe second aspect of the invention, the maintainer is an additionalinflatable chamber that has a cage-like structure and is independent ofthe main inflatable chamber. The main inflatable chamber is removed oncethe additional inflatable chamber is inflated and the tissue is treatedusing instruments passed through the maintainer. The additionalinflatable chamber is preferably deployed on the outside of the maininflatable chamber, but can be deployed inside the main inflatablechamber.

In a second variation, the maintainer is a cage-like structure of amalleable metal or plastic deployed on the outside of the maininflatable chamber. The cage-like structure is expanded into an expandedcondition by inflating the main inflatable chamber. Once the cage is inits expanded condition, the main inflatable chamber can be deflated andremoved, and the cage maintains the organ in its retracted condition.

In a method according to the invention of using an inflatable retractiondevice according to the second aspect of the invention, the maintainerand the main inflatable chamber are assembled together and packaged in acollapsed state. The maintainer and main inflatable chamber assembly isinserted into the body and placed adjacent to the organ. The maininflatable chamber is inflated to retract the organ into a retractedcondition. The maintainer is expanded to maintain the organ in itsretracted condition and the main inflatable chamber is deflated.

The collapsed bulk of the inflatable retraction devices described in thepresent application and in the prior application can be reduced bymaking the additional inflatable chamber smaller. If the additionalinflatable chamber is to provide a given retracting force, it can onlybe made smaller if its strength is increased. In a method according tothe third aspect of the invention, the strength of the additionalinflatable chamber is increased by filling it with a solid instead of afluid. In the method according to the third aspect of the invention, themain chamber of an inflatable retraction device is inflated. Theadditional inflatable chamber of the inflatable retraction device isthen filled with a slurry comprising a particulate solid in a liquid.After the additional inflatable chamber has been filled with the slurry,the liquid component of the slurry is removed from the additionalinflatable chamber, leaving the particulate solid behind. Finally, theparticulate solid is compacted to form a rigid structure in theadditional inflatable chamber. In the preferred embodiment, theparticulate solid is compacted by evacuating the additional inflatablechamber. Alternative ways of compacting the particulate solid includeheating and cooling the solid.

A self-retracting endoscope according to the fourth aspect of theinvention enables endoscopic observations to be carried out inside thebody without the need for a separate retraction device. According to thefourth aspect of the invention, a self-retracting endoscope forobserving a tissue inside the body includes an optical device forobserving the tissue. The optical device has a substantially cylindricalstructure, and a distal end that is inserted into the body through anincision. The self-retracting endoscope also includes a retractor thatis expandable to retract organs adjacent to the tissue that wouldotherwise obstruct the view of the tissue. The retractor is attached tothe optical device adjacent to the distal end of the optical device andis in a collapsed state when the distal end of the optical device isinserted into the body. The retractor is expanded once the distal end ofthe optical device is inside the body, adjacent to the tissue to beobserved. In the preferred embodiment, the retractor is inflatable, andis expanded by inflating it.

The fifth aspect of the invention enables a substantially cylindricalobject, such as an inflatable retraction device in its collapsed state,to be inserted into the body without buckling or jamming. An insertiontube according to the fifth aspect of the invention comprises anelongate tubular member having a bore. The bore receives the object,such as the collapsed inflatable retraction device, at its proximal end.A string passes from the proximal end to the distal end of the tubularmember inside the bore and returns to the proximal end of the tubularmember. The string passing inside the bore is capable of attachment tothe proximal end of the object.

In a method according to the invention of using the insertion tubeaccording to the fifth aspect of the invention, the string passinginside the bore is attached to the proximal end of the object, and thedistal end of the object is inserted into the proximal end of the boreof the tubular member. The distal end of the tubular member is insertedinto the body. The string returning to the proximal end of the tubularmember is pulled to draw the object through the bore of the tubularmember.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a Type IIIA inflatable retractiondevice according to a first aspect of the invention in its inflatedcondition in the abdomen.

FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view showing details of the non-pressurizedchamber and the second inflatable chamber of a Type IIIA inflatableretraction device according to a first aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view showing a version of thenon-pressurized chamber in which the part of its envelope contacting theenvelope of the first inflatable chamber is removed.

FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view showing the non-pressurized chamberand the second inflatable chamber of a Type IIIA inflatable retractiondevice according to a first aspect of the invention in which the secondinflatable chamber is inside the non-pressurized chamber and has its ownenvelope.

FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view showing the non-pressurized chamberand the second inflatable chamber of a Type IIIA inflatable retractiondevice according to a first aspect of the invention in which the secondinflatable chamber is outside the non-pressurized chamber and has itsown envelope.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a Type IIIA inflatable retractiondevice according to a first aspect of the invention in its inflatedcondition in the abdomen and having ducts through which instruments canbe inserted into the non-pressurized chamber from outside the inflatableretraction device.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a Type IIIB inflatable retractiondevice according to a first aspect of the invention in its inflatedcondition in the abdomen.

FIGS. 6A through 6C show cross sectional views of the abdomen includingthe bowel, the liver, and the gall bladder to illustrate a first methodaccording to the invention of using a type IIIA or a type IIIBinflatable retraction device according to the invention to retract thebowel and lift the liver to gain access to treat the gall bladder:

FIG. 6A shows a packaged Type IIIA inflatable retraction device in itscollapsed state inserted into the abdomen.

FIG. 6B shows the Type IIIA inflatable retraction device followinginflation of the first inflatable chamber to retract the bowel, lift theliver, and gain access to the gall bladder.

FIG. 6C shows the Type IIIA inflatable retraction device followinginflation of its second inflatable chamber. An endoscope and a cuttinginstrument has been inserted into the non-pressurized chamber to cut anaperture in the envelope of the main inflatable chamber through which totreat the gall bladder.

FIGS. 7A through 7E illustrate a second method according to theinvention of using a type IIIA or a type IIIB inflatable retractiondevice according to the invention to retract an organ:

FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of a partially inflated Type IIIAinflatable retraction device according to a first aspect of theinvention being attached to an endoscope prior to packaging theinflatable retraction device.

FIGS. 7B through 7E show cross sectional views of the abdomen includingthe bowel, the liver, and the gall bladder:

FIG. 7B shows a packaged Type IIIA inflatable retraction device attachedin a collapsed state to an endoscope prior to insertion into theabdomen.

FIG. 7C shows the packaged Type IIIA inflatable retraction deviceattached in a collapsed state to an endoscope after it has been insertedinto the abdomen and the distal end of the endoscope has been placedadjacent to the gall bladder.

FIG. 7D shows the Type IIIA inflatable retraction device attached to anendoscope after the second inflatable chamber has been inflated, and theendoscope has been manipulated to align the treatment window in thesecond inflatable chamber with the gall bladder.

FIG. 7E shows the Type IIIA inflatable retraction device attached to anendoscope after the first inflatable chamber has been inflated toretract the bowel, lift the liver, and provide access to treat the gallbladder.

FIG. 8A is a schematic representation of a Type IV inflatable retractiondevice according to a second aspect of the invention.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a Type IVA inflatable retraction deviceaccording to a second aspect of the invention having an externalinflatable maintainer.

FIG. 8C is a cut-away perspective view of a Type IVA inflatableretraction device according to a second aspect of the invention havingan internal inflatable maintainer.

FIG. 9A shows a Type IVA inflatable retraction device with an inflatablemaintainer according to the invention in its packaged state prior toinsertion into the body.

FIGS. 9B through 9E show cross sectional views of the abdomen includingthe bowel, the liver, and the gall bladder to illustrate the methodaccording to the invention of using a Type IVA inflatable retractiondevice with an inflatable maintainer according to the invention toretract the bowel and lift the liver to gain access to treat the gallbladder:

FIG. 9B shows a Type IVA inflatable retraction device after the maininflatable chamber has been inflated to retract the bowel and lift theliver to provide access to treat the gall bladder.

FIG. 9C shows the Type IVA inflatable retraction device after themaintainer has been inflated.

FIG. 9D shows the Type IVA inflatable retraction device after the maininflatable chamber has been deflated.

FIG. 9E shows the inflatable maintainer of a Type IVA inflatableretraction device in place in the abdomen maintaining the bowel in itsretracted condition and the liver in its lifted condition after theinflatable retractor has been removed from the abdomen.

FIGS. 10A through 10D illustrate a Type IVB inflatable retraction deviceaccording to a second aspect of the invention having a mechanicalmaintainer.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the maintainer.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the inflatable retractor.

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the assembled Type IVB inflatableretraction device prior to insertion into the body.

FIG. 10D is a perspective view of the maintainer in its expandedcondition following withdrawal of the inflatable retractor.

FIGS. 11A through 11D show a vertical cross sectional view of a Type IAinflatable retraction device to illustrate the high-strength inflationmethod according to the invention.

FIG. 11A shows the inflatable retraction device after its additionalinflatable chamber has been filled with a slurry of a particulate solidin a liquid.

FIG. 11B shows the inflatable retraction device after the liquidcomponent of the slurry has been removed its additional inflatablechamber.

FIG. 11C shows the inflatable retraction device after its additionalinflatable chamber has been evacuated to consolidate the particulatesolid.

FIG. 11D shows the inflatable retraction device fitted with analternative provision for consolidating the particulate solid.

FIGS. 12A through 12G illustrate a self-retracting endoscope accordingto a fourth aspect of the invention:

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a self-retracting endoscope having aninflatable retractor comprising a stack of toroidal balloons. Theinflatable retractor is shown in its expanded condition.

FIG. 12B is a cross sectional view of an alternative configuration ofthe inflatable retractor.

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of the self-retracting endoscope with itsinflatable retractor in its collapsed condition.

FIG. 12D is a perspective view of a variation of the self-retractingendoscope having an inflatable retractor with the inflatable retractorin its collapsed condition. This variation has a substantially constantdiameter circular cross section and is especially suitable for use ininsufflated body cavities.

FIG. 12E is a cross sectional view of the abdomen showing the bowel, theliver, the gall bladder, and the self-retracting endoscope with aninflatable retractor retracting the liver to observe the gall bladder.

FIG. 12F is a perspective view of a self-retracting endoscope accordingto the invention having a mechanical retractor with the mechanicalretractor in its collapsed condition.

FIG. 12G is a perspective view of the self-retracting endoscope having amechanical retractor with the mechanical retractor in its expandedcondition.

FIGS. 13A through 13D illustrate an insertion tube according to a fifthaspect of the invention:

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a most basic insertion tube.

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of a less basic insertion tube having aneyelet.

FIG. 13C is a perspective view of an improved version of the insertiontube having an external narrow bore tube.

FIG. 13D is a perspective view of an improved version of the insertiontube having an internal narrow bore tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. TYPE III INFLATABLE RETRACTION DEVICES

(a) Type IIIA Inflatable Retraction Device

FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross sectional view of a retraction deviceaccording to the first aspect of the invention. This type of retractiondevice has a second inflatable chamber that expands a non-pressurizedchamber into an expanded condition when the second inflatable chamber isinflated, and will be designated as a Type III retraction device. TheType III inflatable retraction device shown in FIG. 1 with a segmentednon-pressurized chamber will be designated as a Type IIIA inflatableretraction device. The inflatable retraction device 1 is shown in itsinflated condition. The inflatable retraction device 1 comprises a firstenvelope 3 enclosing a first inflatable chamber 5. Inside the firstinflatable chamber 5 is the non-pressurized chamber 13, which ismaintained in an expanded condition by the second inflatable chamber 25.

The inflatable retraction device 1 is shown being used in the abdomen Ato retract the bowel B, lift the liver L, and provide access to treatthe gall bladder GB. After the inflatable retraction device 1 has beendeployed, an aperture 4 is cut in the treatment window 6 to gain accessto the gall bladder GB. The treatment window is the part of the firstenvelope 3 covered by the non-pressurized chamber 13. Alternatively, theinflatable retraction device 1 may be supplied with the aperture 4already cut in the treatment window 6. The non-pressurized chamber 13,supported by the second inflatable chamber 25, isolates the aperture 4from the first inflatable chamber 5. This enables the first inflatablechamber to remain inflated and to continue to provide retraction of thebowel B. Because of the aperture 4, the interior of the non-pressurizedchamber 13 is at atmospheric pressure, or, if the abdomen A isinsufflated, at the ambient pressure of the abdomen.

Instruments, such as the endoscope 33, pass into the first inflatablechamber 5 through the gas-tight port 9 on the first inflation tube 7,and thence through the gas-tight port 31 into the non-pressurizedchamber 13 to observe or to treat the gall bladder GB. Additionally oralternatively, instruments, such as the forceps 34, can pass through thegas-tight port 32 into the first inflatable chamber, and thence througha gas-tight port, such as the port 36, into the non-pressurized chamber.The gas-tight ports 9, 31, 32, and 36 enable the first inflatablechamber to remain inflated.

The first envelope 3 of the inflatable retraction device 1 can be madeof a relatively inelastic and tough film of a plastic such as Mylar® orpolyethylene. The preferred relatively inelastic material is apolyethylene and nylon composite with a thickness in the range from 0.5to 5 mils (13 to 130 microns). Alternatively, the first envelope can bemade of an elastomeric material such as latex, polyurethane, or siliconerubber with a thickness in the range from 0.5 to 5 mils (13 to 130microns).

The proximal end of a first inflation tube 7 is sealed into the firstenvelope 3. The first inflation tube 7 allows an inflation gas to passinto and out of the first inflatable chamber 5. The inflation gas istypically air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide, although other suitable gasesmay be used. Typical inflation gas pressures are in the range 0.2 to 0.4pounds per square inch (psi) (0.14 to 0.28 kPa), the preferred pressurebeing 0.3 psi (0.21 kPa). The first inflation tube 7 is provided with agas-tight port 9 on its distal end, through which endoscopes and/orsurgical instruments can be passed into the first inflatable chamber 5.The port 9 allows the inflation pressure of the first inflatable chamber5 to be maintained when surgical instruments are passed through it.

The first envelope 3 of the Type IIIA inflatable retraction device canbe a polyhedral structure constructed from two segmented, substantiallyflat pieces of material, which gives the inflatable retraction device asubstantially polyhedral shape. Alternatively, the inflatable retractiondevice can be constructed from one or more curved pieces of plasticfilm, which gives the inflatable retraction device a substantiallyspherical, spheroidal, or ellipsoidal shape, as shown in FIG. 1.

The size of inflatable retraction devices according to the invention canrange from about 2" (50 mm) wide by about0.5" (12 mm) high, for useinside the pericardium, to 10"-14" (250-350 mm) wide by 4"-8" (100-200mm) high, for use in the abdominal cavity. The size of inflatableretraction device required for a given application depends on theapplication and the size of the patient.

The second envelope 11, which bounds the non-pressurized chamber 13, ispreferably made from substantially the same thickness of the samematerial as the first envelope 3. However, in some applications it maybe advantageous make the second envelope 11 using a different thicknessof the same material as the first envelope, or using the same or adifferent thickness of a different material.

The second envelope 11 can be a polyhedral structure constructed fromtwo segmented, substantially flat pieces of material, with the edges ofthe segments joined to give the non-pressurized chamber 13 asubstantially polyhedral shape. Alternatively, the non-pressurizedchamber 13 can be constructed from one or more curved pieces ofmaterial, which gives the non-pressurized chamber 13 a substantiallyspherical, spheroidal, or ellipsoidal shape. This form of constructionis particularly appropriate if an elastomeric material is used for thesecond envelope 11.

Despite its name, the non-pressurized chamber may be briefly inflated toassist in expanding it from its collapsed condition to its expandedcondition against the pressure exerted on it by the first inflatablechamber 3. If the non-pressurized chamber is to be inflated, it isprovided with the second inflation tube 15.

The periphery 17 of the third envelope 19 is attached to the secondenvelope 11. This is shown in detail in FIG. 2A. The third envelope ispreferably attached to the inside surface 21 of the second envelope. Thethird envelope 19 has a segmented shape such that, when its periphery 17is attached to the second envelope 11, and the second inflatable chamber25 formed between the second envelope 11 and the third envelope 19 isinflated, the second inflatable chamber 25 forms a cage structure insideor outside the non-pressurized chamber 13. FIG. 2A shows the secondinflatable chamber 25 formed inside the non-pressurized chamber 13.Alternatively, the third envelope may be attached to the outside surface23 of the second envelope as shown in FIG. 1. When the non-pressurizedchamber 13 is a polyhedral structure, the cage structure of the secondinflatable chamber is preferably formed on the faces of the polyhedron.

The third inflation tube 35 allows an inflation gas to pass into and outof the second inflatable chamber 25. The inflation gas is typically air,nitrogen or carbon dioxide, although other suitable gases may be used.Typical inflation gas pressures are in the range 2 to 5 psi (1.4 to 3.5kPa), the preferred pressure being 3.5 psi (2.4 kPa). The inflation gaspressure in the second inflatable chamber 25 is considerably higher thanthat in the first inflatable chamber 5 to enable the second inflatablechamber to exert sufficient force to support the non-pressurized chamber13 against the pressure exerted on it by the inflation pressure in thefirst inflatable chamber.

In an embodiment of the Type IIIA retraction device designed for use inan insufflated body cavity, the second inflation tube 15, if fitted, andthe third inflation tube 35 are contained within the first inflationtube 7, a shown in FIG. 1. The outer wall of the first inflation tube 7forms a gas-tight seal with the trocar tube or introducer sleeve throughwhich the first inflation tube passes into the body. Alternatively, thethree inflation tubes can all be mounted in a tube sheath that forms agas-tight seal with the trocar tube or introducer sleeve through whichthe tube sheath passes into the body.

FIG. 2A shows the second inflatable chamber 25 formed between part ofthe second envelope 11 and the third envelope 19. FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate an alternative embodiment in which the third envelope 19C isformed into a geodesic tubular structure that provides the envelope forthe second inflatable chamber 25C exclusively. In FIG. 3A, the secondinflatable chamber 25C is formed inside the non-pressurized chamber 13C.In this configuration, there is no need to attach the second inflatablechamber to the inside surface 21C of the second envelope 11C. In FIG.3B, the second inflatable chamber 19D is attached to the outside surface23D of the second envelope 11D.

Although providing the second inflatable chamber with its own envelope,as shown in FIG. 3C, increases the volume of material used for the thirdenvelope 19C, it enables a considerably thinner material to be used forthe second envelope 11C and thus gives in a overall reduction in thecollapsed bulk of the inflatable retraction device. A thinner materialcan be used for the second envelope because the second envelope issubject only to the inflation pressure of the first inflatable chamber5C, and is not subject to the much higher inflation pressure of thesecond inflatable chamber 25C. This alternative form of construction isespecially preferred when an elastomeric material is used for at leastpart of the second envelope 11C. The foregoing also applies to theembodiment shown in FIG. 3D.

Part of the outside surface 23 of the second envelope is attached to theinside surface 27 of the first envelope 3, as shown in FIG. 2A. The partof the first envelope covered by the non-pressurized chamber 13 providesthe treatment window 6. The second envelope 11 may be left intact overthe treatment window 6, in which case there is a double thickness ofmaterial covering the treatment window 6, as shown in FIG. 2A.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2B, part of the second envelope 11B maybe removed, such as one face of the polyhedron if the non-pressurizedchamber is a polyhedron, to avoid a double thickness of material overthe treatment window 6B. In either case, the second envelope must beattached to the first envelope to form a gas-tight seal between them.

The parts of the second envelope 11 not obstructed by the secondinflatable chamber 25 provide a plurality of windows 29, as shown inFIG. 1. At least one of the windows is fitted with a port 31 whichenables a surgical instrument to be passed from the first inflatablechamber 5 into the non-pressurized chamber 13. When an instrument, suchas the endoscope 33, is passed through the port 31, the port forms agas-tight seal with the instrument. When the instrument is withdrawnfrom the port 31, the port once more forms a gas-tight seal with itself.The port 31 provides a gas-tight access from the first inflatablechamber 5 to the non-pressurized chamber 13 that maintains the inflationpressure in the first inflatable chamber. The port 31 preferablyincludes a window of an elastomeric material such as latex,polyurethane, or silicone rubber. A slit may be pre-cut in the window tomake it easier to pass instruments through the window.

As an alternative to the port 31 shown in FIG. 1, an instrument may bepassed directly through the window 29 if at least the part of the secondenvelope forming the window 29 is of an elastomeric material.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative to using some form of port between the firstinflatable chamber and the non-pressurized chamber to allow a surgicalinstrument to be passed into the non-pressurized chamber. In FIG. 4,features similar to those in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same referencenumber with the letter "A" added. The inflatable retraction device 1A isprovided with a duct 37, which is a tube of an inelastic plasticmaterial similar to that which may be used for the first envelope 3A Theduct 37 is sealed into one of the windows 29A in the second envelope11A, passes proximally through the first inflatable chamber 5A, issealed through the first envelope 3A, and extends beyond the firstenvelope as shown.

After the inflatable retraction device 1A has been deployed, an incisionI is made in the abdominal wall BW, and the proximal end of the duct 37is brought out through the incision I. The duct 37 provides a passage atatmospheric pressure through which a surgical instrument can be passedfrom outside the body directly into the non-pressurized chamber 13A, andthence to the gall bladder GB. This arrangement provides better feel forthe surgeon because movement of the instrument is not restricted by thetwo gas-tight ports 9 and 31 (FIG. 1). However, the duct 37 must befitted with a gas-tight port if the inflatable retraction device 1A isused in an insufflated body cavity to prevent insufflation gas fromleaking out through the duct. Inflatable retraction devices according tothe invention may have both ports and ducts.

(b) Type IIIB Inflatable Retraction Device

FIG. 5 shows the Type IIIB inflatable retraction device 39, which is avariation on the Type IIIA inflatable retraction device having adifferent structure for the non-pressurized chamber and the secondinflatable chamber. In FIG. 5, the first inflatable chamber 57 issubstantially the same as the first inflatable chamber 5 shown in FIG. 1and will therefore not be described further. The polyhedral orsubstantially spherical or spheroidal non-pressurized chamber 13 of FIG.1 is replaced by a substantially cylindrical non-pressurized chamber 41.

The part of the first envelope 55 of the first inflatable chambercovered by the non-pressurized chamber 41 provides a treatment window 60in which an aperture 61 can be cut to gain access to the tissue beingtreated, in this example, the gall bladder GB. The non-pressurizedchamber 41 enables the first inflatable chamber 57 to remain in itsinflated state, and to continue to provide retraction, despite thepresence of an aperture 61 in the treatment window 60. Thenon-pressurized chamber 41 is enclosed by part of the third envelope 51,the treatment window 60, and the diaphragm 59. The diaphragm ispreferably made of an elastomeric material such as latex, polyurethaneor silicone rubber.

The second inflatable chamber 43 comprises a stack of toroidal balloonswhich is enclosed by the third envelope 51. A stack of three toroidalballoons 45, 47, and 49 is shown: a greater or lesser number of toroidalballoons can be used, depending on the application. The secondinflatable chamber 43 is attached to the inner surface 53 of the firstenvelope 55 of the first inflatable chamber 57.

The third envelope 51 of the inflatable retraction device 39 is made ofa relatively inelastic and tough film of a plastic such as Mylar®,polyethylene, or polyurethane. The preferred material for the thirdenvelope 51 is a polyethylene and nylon composite. The thickness of thethird envelope 51 is typically from 0.5 to 5 mils (13 to 130 microns).

The non-pressurized chamber 41 can be briefly inflated by means of asecond inflation tube (not shown) to assist its initial expansion, asalready described. The second inflatable chamber 43 has a thirdinflation tube (not shown) sealed into it. If a stack of toroidalballoons 45, 47, and 49 is used for the second inflatable chamber 43, asshown in FIG. 5, they may simply be interconnected, and a single thirdinflation tube used. Alternatively, a third inflation tube may be fittedto each toroidal balloon to allow the height of the non-pressurizedchamber to be adjusted by selectively inflating the balloons in thestack. In a further alternative, a single third inflation tube can feeda manifold leading to each balloon through a non-return valve. Allballoons in the stack are inflated initially. The height of thenon-pressurized chamber 41 can then be reduced by puncturing one or moreof the balloons.

The diaphragm 59 provides one large window through which an instrument,such as the endoscope 63, may be passed from the first inflatablechamber 57 into the non-pressurized chamber 41. Gas-tight seals must beprovided around such instruments. Using an elastomeric material for thediaphragm 59, or using a substantially inelastic material for thediaphragm 59 and fitting a port 65, similar to the port 31 in FIG. 1will provide suitable gas-tight seals. Alternatively, a duct, similar tothe duct 37 of FIG. 4, can be used in the retraction device 39 of FIG.5, preferably attached to the diaphragm 59, to provide a passage atatmospheric pressure from outside the body through the first inflatablechamber to the non-pressurized chamber 41.

(c) First Method of Use

In the following description, the word "organ" will be used to mean anorgan or a tissue that is retracted by the inflatable retraction device.The word "treat" will be used to mean both treat and observe, and theword "treatment" will be used to mean both treatment and observation.The word "tissue" or the phrase "tissue to be treated" will both be usedto mean the organ or the tissue that is treated through or inside theretraction device.

FIGS. 6A through 6C show cross sectional elevational views of theabdomen A to illustrate the method by which a Type IIIA inflatableretraction device according to the invention is used in the body toretract an organ within the body to gain access to treat a tissue. Inthe method illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6C, the inflatable retractiondevice is inserted into the abdomen A and is used to retract an organ,the bowel B, to gain access to treat a tissue, the gall bladder GB. Theinflatable retraction device also lifts the liver L The method accordingto the invention can also be used to deploy a Type IIIA inflatableretraction device in other parts of the body, and to deploy a Type IIIBinflatable retraction device in the same or in other parts of the body.

The inflatable retraction device 1 is supplied in a collapsed state 91,as shown in FIG. 6A, in which it is tightly packaged in a configurationthat makes it essentially a linear extension of the first inflation tube7. The collapsed inflatable retraction device is introduced into thebody by pushing it through a suitable introducer sleeve or trocar tube Tthat has been inserted through a suitable incision I1 in the body wallBW. Alternatively, an introducer tube according to the fourth aspect ofthe invention, to be described below, can be used. The trocar tube T isoriented so that, when the collapsed inflatable retraction device 91 isejected from the trocar tube T, it is located adjacent to the organ asshown. The location of the collapsed retraction device is checked by anendoscope S inserted into the body through a second incision I2. Oncethe collapsed retraction device 91 is correctly located, it is releasedfrom its packaging.

The first inflation tube 7 is connected to a source of inflation gas(not shown) and the gas supply is slowly turned on to inflate the firstinflatable chamber 5. The first inflatable chamber slowly expands, asshown in FIG. 6B, progressively retracting the bowel B and lifting theliver L as its size increases. Throughout the expansion process, thefirst inflatable chamber 5 presents a relatively large surface area tothe bowel and the liver, and thus retracts the bowel and lifts the livergently, progressively, and without trauma. Although the first inflatablechamber 5 retracts the bowel and lifts the liver gently, it is capableof exerting the force necessary to effect the retraction of the boweland the lifting of the liver.

Once the first inflatable chamber 5 has reached its fully-inflatedcondition, the position of the treatment window 6 relative to the tissueis checked by observation through the endoscope S and/or an endoscope(not shown) inserted into the first inflatable chamber 5 through thefirst inflation tube 7 and the gas-tight port 9. The tissue to betreated must be substantially centered in the treatment window 6. If theinflatable retraction device 1 is supplied with the aperture 4 alreadycut in the treatment window 6, the aperture 4 must be substantiallycentered on the tissue to be treated, i.e., the gall bladder in thisexample. If the inflatable retraction device 1 is not correctlypositioned, the inflation gas pressure is reduced slightly to partiallydeflate the first inflatable chamber and the inflatable retractiondevice 1 is manipulated to correct its orientation. The first inflatablechamber 5 is then reinflated.

The non-pressurized chamber 13 is next expanded. The source of inflationgas (not shown) is connected to the second inflation tube 15 and the gassupply is slowly turned on to inflate the non-pressurized chamber 13 toits fully extended condition. An inflation pressure slightly greaterthan that used to inflate the first inflatable chamber 5 is used. Thesecond inflation tube is clamped, and the source of inflation gas istransferred to the third inflation tube 35. The gas supply is slowlyturned on to inflate the second inflatable chamber 25. An inflationpressure approximately ten times that used to inflate the firstinflatable chamber is used. Once the second inflatable chamber is fullyinflated, inflation pressure is released from the non-pressurizedchamber 13.

Temporarily inflating the non-pressurized chamber 13 before inflatingthe second inflatable chamber 25 is the preferred way of expanding thenon-pressurized chamber. Inflating the non-pressurized chamber firstmakes it easier to inflate the second inflatable chamber, and enablesthe size of the second inflatable chamber to be reduced. More force isrequired to expand the non-pressurized chamber 13 from a collapsedcondition against the inflation pressure of the first inflatable chamber5 than to maintain the non-pressurized chamber in an already-expandedcondition against the inflation pressure of the first inflatablechamber. However, inflating the non-pressurized chamber is notessential, and the step of inflating the non-pressurized chamber can beomitted if desired. Inflation cannot be used to help expand thenon-pressurized chamber if the inflatable retraction device 1 issupplied with the aperture 4 already cut in the treatment window 6.

If the aperture 4 is already cut in the treatment window 6, treatment ofthe tissue can begin using one or more instruments passed through thegas-tight port 9 and the first inflation tube 7 into the firstinflatable chamber 5 and thence through the port 31 into thenon-pressurized chamber 13.

If the aperture 4 is to be cut in the treatment window 6, an endoscope63 is passed through the port 9 and the first inflation tube 7 into thefirst inflatable chamber 5, and from the first inflatable chamber 5through the gas-tight port 31 into the non-pressurized chamber 13. Acutting instrument 67 is then passed into the first inflatable chamberthrough the gas-tight port 69, and from the first inflatable chamber tothe non-pressurized chamber through the gastight port 71. The cuttinginstrument is then used to make a cut in, and possibly to remove partof, the treatment window 6 to provide the aperture 4. If the secondenvelope 11 covers the part of the first envelope cut or removed (seeFIG. 2A), this part of the second envelope must also be cut or removed.

The tissue to be treated is treated using instruments passed throughports such as the port 31 into the non-pressurized chamber 13. Theinstruments are then passed out of the non-pressurized chamber throughthe aperture 4 to treat the tissue. Alternatively, the tissue can bepulled into the non-pressurized chamber through the aperture 4 and thetreatment can be carried out inside the non-pressurized chamber. Theedges of the aperture 4 form a seal against the tissue and keep blood,debris, etc. safely inside the non-pressurized chamber, from whence theycan easily be removed.

If the inflatable retraction device is of the configuration shown inFIG. 4, and has a duct 37 instead of, or in addition to, the gas-tightport 31, the duct 37 is used to pass the endoscope 63 and the cuttinginstrument 67 into the non-pressurized chamber in the method describedabove. Alternatively, both ducts and ports can be used.

The need for extensive manipulation of the inflatable retraction device1 to center the treatment window 6 on the tissue being treated can bereduced by providing further non-pressurized chambers attached to thefirst envelope 3. Each non-pressurized chamber provides adifferently-oriented treatment window and has its own second inflatablechamber. After the first inflatable chamber 5 is inflated, the one ormore non-pressurized chambers that provide the most favourably alignedtreatment windows relative to the tissue being treated are expanded asdescribed above, and are used to provide access to treat the tissue.

(d) Second Method of Use

FIGS. 7B through 7E show cross sectional elevational views of theabdomen A to illustrate the second method according to the invention ofusing a Type IIIA inflatable retraction device according to theinvention to retract the bowel B and lift the liver L to gain access tothe gall bladder GB, as in the first method described above. The samemethod can be used with a Type IIIB inflatable retraction device, andthe method can be adapted for use in connection with treating othertissues.

The first method of using a Type III inflatable retraction deviceinvolves a tedious process to align the treatment window 6 with thetissue to be treated. The second method of using a Type III inflatableretraction device simplifies aligning the inflatable retraction device 1relative to the tissue to be treated.

Before the inflatable retraction device 1 is inserted into the body,both the first inflatable chamber 5 and the second inflatable chamber 13are partially inflated, and the inflatable retraction device isassembled with the endoscope 33 as shown in FIG. 7A. The distal end ofthe endoscope 33 is inserted into the first inflatable chamber 5 throughthe first inflation tube 7 and the gas-tight port 9. The distal end ofthe endoscope 33 is pushed through the gas-tight port 31 into thenon-pressurized chamber 13 and is centered in the treatment window 6.Alternatively, a gas-tight port specifically designed to seal with theendoscope 33 can be incorporated into the second envelope 11 to receivethe endoscope. The first and second inflatable chambers are thencollapsed by evacuating them.

The inflatable retraction device is then wrapped around the shaft of theendoscope 33, adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope as shown inFIG. 7B. If an aperture is already cut in the treatment window 6, thetip of the endoscope is exposed. Otherwise, the tip of the endoscope iscovered by at least a layer of the first envelope 3, as shown in FIG.7B. The collapsed inflatable retraction device 91 is held in position bydetachable lacing 93. Alternatively, the collapsed inflatable retractiondevice can be held in position by a sleeve with detachable lacing, by asleeve with a tear strip, or by another suitable method. The packagedassembly has an overall diameter of about 11 mm, which enables thepackage to fit through a 12 mm trocar tube.

Before the assembly is inserted into the body, it may be necessary toinsufflate the abdomen A temporarily to create space in which tomaneuver the distal end of the endoscope/retractor assembly 95 intoproximity with the tissue to be treated. Insufflation techniques areknown and will not be described. The insufflated condition is indicatedby the broken line marked A' in FIG. 7B. An incision I1 is made in theabdominal wall BW and a trocar tube T is driven through the wall. Theendoscope/retractor assembly 95 is inserted into the abdomen through thetrocar tube (and a gas-tight port P on the trocar tube if the bodycavity is insufflated). While viewing through the endoscope 33, and, ifdesired, through an additional endoscope 63 inserted into the abdomen inthe vicinity of the gall bladder GB through an additional incision 12,the endoscope 33 is manipulated to bring its distal end close to thegall bladder GB, as shown in FIG. 7C.

The inflatable retraction device 1 is then released from its packagingand the non-pressurized chamber 13 is expanded into its expandedcondition as shown in FIG. 7D. If an aperture is not already cut in thetreatment window 6, the non-pressurized chamber is preferably expandedby temporarily inflating it using the second inflation tube 15. Thesecond inflatable chamber 25 is then inflated with inflation gas throughthe third inflation tube 35. If the aperture is already cut, or if thesecond inflation tube is not provided, the non-pressurized chamber isexpanded by inflating the second inflation chamber 25 with inflation gasthrough the third inflation tube 35. With the non-pressurized chamberexpanded, the endoscope 33 is then manipulated, while observing at leastthrough the endoscope 33, to center the treatment window 6 on the tissueto be treated, i.e., the gall bladder GB. The endoscope 33 is thenclamped in position to hold the non-pressurized chamber in its correctlocation relative to the gall bladder when the first inflatable chamberis inflated.

The first inflation tube 7 is connected to the supply of inflation gas(not shown) and inflation pressure is slowly increased to expand thefirst inflatable chamber 5. The expanding first inflatable chambergently retracts the bowel B, lifts the liver L and provides a workingspace in front of the gall bladder GB, as shown in FIG. 7E.

After the inflatable retraction device has been deployed according tothe method just described, instruments are passed into the firstinflatable chamber 5 and thence into the non-pressurized chamber 13 totreat the gall bladder as described above. The method described abovecan also readily be adapted to deploy an inflatable retraction devicewith ducts, as shown in FIG. 4.

2. TYPE IV INFLATABLE RETRACTION DEVICES

FIG. 8A is a schematic representation of a basic Type IV inflatableretraction device according to the second aspect of the invention. TheType IV inflatable retraction device is shown in its expanded condition.The Type IV inflatable retraction device 101 has two main components,the inflatable retractor 103 and the maintainer 107. Both the inflatableretractor and the maintainer are in a collapsed condition when the TypeIV inflatable retraction device is inserted into the body.

The first main component of the Type IV inflatable retraction device,the inflatable retractor 103, has a main inflatable chamber 105 that isinflated to retract an organ into a retracted condition. The second maincomponent, the maintainer 107 is expanded, at least partially byinflating the inflatable retractor, to maintain the retracted organ inits retracted condition and to allow the inflatable retractor 103 to bedeflated and, possibly, removed.

The structure of the inflatable retractor 103 does not permitinstruments to pass through it to treat the tissue. The maintainer 107has an open structure that enables instruments to pass through it totreat the tissue once the inflatable retractor 103 has been deflatedand, possibly, removed. The maintainer 107 may have several differentconstructions that will be described below.

(a) Type IVA Inflatable Retraction Device

FIG. 8B shows a Type IVA inflatable retraction device which has aninflatable maintainer 107A The main inflatable chamber 105 of theinflatable retractor 103 is enclosed by a main envelope 109, which ispreferably a balloon of a suitable elastomeric material such as latex,polyurethane, or silicone rubber. The size and shape of the maininflatable chamber 105 depends on the application. For a given inflatedsize, a main envelope made of an elastomeric material has considerablyless collapsed bulk than a main envelope made of a non-elastic material,such as Mylar®, polyethylene, polyethylene/nylon composite, etc.Moreover, the main envelope of a Type IVA inflatable retraction devicecan be considerably lighter and thinner than the main envelope of a TypeI retraction device because it need only remain inflated for a fewminutes, and is subject to considerably lower pressures. The maininflatable chamber is inflated by an inflation gas passed through themain inflation tube 111.

The inflatable maintainer 107A shown in FIG. 8B is a geodesic structureformed from a plurality of interconnected inflatable plastic tubes 113.The tubes 113 are formed from a substantially inelastic plastic materialsuch as Mylar® or polyethylene, or, preferably, a polyethylene/nyloncomposite. The tubes are interconnected so that their bores communicate,which enables the maintainer to be inflated by the single additionalinflation tube 115. The size and shape of the tubes 113 depends on theapplication. For instance, a Type IV inflatable retractor suitable forretracting the bowel and lifting the liver to gain access to the gallbladder has a structure in which the tubes 113 are on the edges of adodecahedron in the range 8" to 12" (20 to 30 cm across. Each tube is0.4" to 0.8" (10 to 20 mm) in diameter, and has a wall thickness in therange 4 to 10 mil. (0.1 to 0.25 mm).

(b) Type IVA Inflatable Retraction Device--Method of Use

For insertion into the body, the Type IVA inflatable retraction deviceis packaged as follows. The main inflatable chamber 105 of theinflatable retractor 103 is preferably lightly attached to themaintainer 107A before the inflatable retraction device 103 is packagedin its collapsed state. This is to ensure that the main inflatablechamber remains inside the maintainer when the main inflatable chamberis inflated. The main inflatable chamber and the maintainer are inflatedwith the main inflatable chamber inside the maintainer, and are attachedto one another using a suitable adhesive, or by welding.

The main inflatable chamber 105 and the maintainer 107A are then bothevacuated to collapse them, and then are packaged to form an extensionof the main inflation tube 111 and the additional inflation tube 115.The collapsed inflatable retraction device is held in its packagedcondition by the sleeve 112 with detachable lacing 114, as shown in FIG.9A. Alternatively, the collapsed retraction device can be held in itscollapsed condition by detachable lacing, by a sleeve with a tear strip,or by another suitable method. The packaged assembly has an overalldiameter of about 11 mm, which enables the package to fit through a 12mm trocar tube.

FIGS. 9B through 9E illustrate the method according to the invention ofusing the Type IVA inflatable retraction device 101 in the abdomen A toretract the bowel B and to lift the liver L to gain access to treat thegall bladder GB. The method can also be used to treat other organs andtissues in the body. The packaged inflatable retraction device 101 isinserted into the body through a suitable trocar tube T and placedadjacent to the tissue to be treated, i.e., the gall bladder GB. Theinflatable retraction device 101 is released from the sleeve 112 bypulling on the detachable lacing 114 (FIG. 9A). The main inflation tube111 is connected to a source of inflation gas (not shown) and theinflation gas pressure is increased until the main inflatable chamber105 begins to expand. When the main inflatable chamber expands, itgently retracts the bowel B and lifts the liver L, and also extendsmaintainer 107A over its surface, as shown in FIG. 9B.

When the main inflatable chamber 105 is expanded to the limits definedby the maintainer 107A, inflation is stopped, the first inflation tube111 is clamped, and the source of inflation gas is transferred to theadditional inflation tube 115. The maintainer is then inflated to afully expanded condition, as shown in FIG. 9C. This requires a pressurein the range 5 to 10pounds per square inch (3.5 to 7 kPa).

Inflation of the maintainer 107A may be begun before the main inflatablechamber 105 is fully inflated, if desired. An endoscope can beintroduced into the main inflatable chamber through a gas-tight port 117on the main inflation tube III to check the position of the maintainer.If the maintainer obstructs access to the tissue to be treated, thepartially inflated maintainer can be manipulated to change its position.The maintainer and the main inflatable chamber are then fully inflated.

Once the maintainer 107A is fully inflated, the inflation pressure tothe main inflatable chamber 105 is gradually released. During deflationof the main inflatable chamber, the structural integrity of themaintainer is observed to ensure that the maintainer retains theretracted organ in its retracted condition. Manipulation of themaintainer may be necessary to ensure that the organ remains adequatelyretracted.

Deflating the main inflatable chamber 105 detaches it from themaintainer 107A. Once the main inflatable chamber is fully deflated, asshown in FIG. 9D, it is evacuated to collapse it, and the inflatableretractor is removed from inside the maintainer, and removed from thebody, leaving the maintainer alone to keep the bowel retracted and theliver lifted, as shown in FIG. 9E.

The tissue is then treated using instruments passed into the bodythrough suitable incisions in the body wall BW. The instruments arepassed through the large windows between the inflatable tubes 113 of themaintainer. The maintainer has no external envelope, so no time need bespent cutting apertures to gain access to the tissue to be treated.

(c) Type IVA Inflatable Retraction Device with Internal InflatableMaintainer

The Type IVA inflatable retraction device may also be packaged with aninflatable maintainer 107B inside the main inflatable chamber 105. Aninternal maintainer eliminates the risk of the main inflatable chamber105 escaping from inside the maintainer 107B during inflation of themain inflatable chamber. Although the maintainer cannot escape from themain inflatable chamber, it is still desirable to attach the maintainerto the inside of the main envelope 109. Inflating the main inflatablechamber partially expands the maintainer 107B before it is inflated,which makes it easier to inflate the maintainer. The inflatableretraction device, with the main inflatable chamber in its inflatedcondition, is shown in FIG. 8C.

The internal maintainer variation of the Type IVA inflatable retractiondevice is deployed by the same method as the external maintainervariation described above. However, after inflation pressure has beenremoved from the main inflatable chamber 105, the main envelope 109cannot simply be withdrawn from the outside of the maintainer. Instead,it must be cut up and removed. Alternatively and preferably, it is leftin place during treatment, and apertures are cut in the main envelopethrough which treatment can be carried out. Leaving the main envelope inplace enables the tissue to be pulled through the aperture in the mainenvelope and treated inside the main envelope. The aperture in the mainenvelope forms a seal around the tissue being treated, and blood,debris, etc. are retained inside the main envelope, whence they caneasily be removed.

(d) Type IVA Inflatable Retraction Device with Mechanical Maintainer

The inflatable maintainer 107A of a Type IVA inflatable retractiondevice can be replaced by a mechanical maintainer having a bistablefolding rib structure of metal, plastic, or some other suitablematerial. Inflating the main inflatable chamber retracts the organ, andalso partially unfolds the ribs of the maintainer into an expandedcondition as the main inflatable chamber expands. Inflating the maininflatable chamber further fully expands the maintainer by driving itsribs into a stable, over-center condition. When the inflation pressurein the main inflatable chamber is reduced, the ribs stay in theirover-center condition. In this condition, the maintainer has structuralintegrity and can maintain the organ retracted by the main inflatablechamber in its retracted condition.

The mechanical maintainer of a Type IVA inflatable retraction device isremoved at the end of the treatment by dismantling it or cutting it up.Alternatively, an inflatable retractor can once more be placed insidethe maintainer and inflated to return the ribs from their over-centercondition. The inflatable retractor is then deflated, which enables themaintainer to collapse into its folded condition. The maintainer is thenremoved in its folded condition along with the inflatable retractor.

(e) Type IVB Inflatable Retraction Device

The Type IVB inflatable retraction device uses the simple mechanicalmaintainer shown in FIG. 10A. The maintainer 107C comprises a first hub133 and a second hub 135 interconnected by a plurality of strips orwires 131 of a malleable metal or plastic. Aluminum or steel ispreferred. Alternatively, the maintainer can be made by making a numberof longitudinal cuts almost from end-to-end of a tube of a suitablemalleable material. The outside diameter of the maintainer 107C is about11 mm, which enables it to pass easily through a 12 mm introducersleeve.

In FIG. 10B, the main inflatable chamber 105 of the inflatable retractor103 is preferably a balloon enclosed by a main envelope 109 of asuitable elastomeric material such as latex or silicone rubber. The sizeand shape of the main inflatable chamber 105 depends on the application.Using an elastomeric material for the main envelope enables an envelopeof the required strength and inflated size to fit within the maintainer107C. The main inflatable chamber is inflated by an inflation gas passedthrough the main inflation tube 111.

Before insertion into the body, the retractor 103 is assembled with themaintainer 107C, as shown in FIG. 10C. The main inflation tube 111 istemporarily attached to the maintainer to make a single unit forinsertion.

After the inflatable retraction device 101 is inserted into the body,the main inflatable chamber 105 is inflated by passing an inflationfluid through the inflation tube 111. The main inflatable chamberexpands radially, which retracts the organ, and displaces the strips 131of the maintainer radially outwards. This reduces the overall length ofthe maintainer. FIG. 10D shows the shape of the maintainer in itsexpanded condition at the end of the inflation process.

After the main inflatable chamber 105 is fully inflated, and themaintainer is in its expanded condition, as shown in FIG. 10D, theinflation pressure in the main inflatable chamber is released, and themain inflatable chamber returns to its collapsed condition. Themaintainer 107C in its expanded condition is sufficiently strong tomaintain the organ in its retracted condition. The main inflation tube111 is then detached from the maintainer, and the retractor 103 iswithdrawn from the body. The tissue is treated by instruments passingfrom outside the body through the spaces between the strips 131 of themaintainer 107C.

Alternatively, the main inflatable chamber 105 can be released from theend of the main inflation tube 111 and removed from the body. The maininflation tube is then used as a duct through which to pass instrumentsfrom outside the body to treat the tissue. The instruments pass fromoutside the body into the interior of the maintainer, and then passthrough the spaces between the strips 131 of the maintainer 107C totreat the tissue.

3. HIGH-STRENGTH INFLATING METHOD

A method according to the third aspect of the invention for inflatingType I, Type III, and Type IV inflatable retraction devices having asecond or additional inflatable chamber (an "additional inflatablechamber") enables the collapsed bulk of such inflatable retractiondevices to be reduced. The additional inflatable chamber of any of theabove-mentioned inflatable retraction devices relies on the rigidity ofits envelope under inflation pressure for its strength. To provide thestrength required, the additional inflatable chamber must have arelatively large cross sectional area and use a relatively highinflation pressure (about ten times that used in the main inflatablechamber). This in turn requires that the envelope of the additionalinflatable chamber be relatively thick. The large area of relativelythick material required for the envelope of the additional inflatablechamber contributes significantly to the collapsed bulk of theinflatable retraction device.

The method according to the invention of filling the additionalinflatable chamber of an inflatable retraction device fills theadditional inflatable chamber with a fluid that, once in place, is maderigid. This enables the whole cross sectional area of the additionalinflatable chamber to contribute to the strength of the additionalinflatable chamber. For a given strength, the cross-sectional area ofthe additional inflatable chamber can be reduced, and lower pressurescan be used, which enables a smaller area of a thinner material to beused for the envelope of the additional inflatable chamber. This resultsin a useful reduction in the collapsed bulk of the additional inflatablechamber, and hence in the collapsed bulk of the inflatable retractiondevice as a whole.

In inflatable retraction devices in which the envelope of the maininflatable chamber forms part of the envelope of the additionalinflatable chamber, a thinner material may also be used for the envelopeof the main inflatable chamber, giving a further reduction in thecollapsed bulk of the inflatable retraction device.

In the method according to the invention, the main chamber of theinflatable retraction device is inflated in the normal way. Theadditional inflatable chamber is then filled with a slurry of anon-soluble particulate solid in a fluid. Preferably, the slurry is aslurry of glass beads in water. Beads in the range 0.040" to 0.080" (1to 2 mm) in diameter are preferred. Alternatively, the beads can be of asuitable plastic, such as polycarbonate or acrylic. The additionalinflatable chamber is preferably filled by evacuating it, and thenpumping the slurry in to fill it.

The fluid is removed from the additional inflatable chamber, leaving theparticulate solid behind. This is preferably done by inserting into theinflation tube a filter with a mesh small enough to trap the particulatesolid while allowing the fluid to pass. The fluid is then pumped outthrough the filter. The particulate solid is then compacted byevacuating the additional inflatable chamber. With the additionalchamber evacuated, ambient air pressure acting against the envelope ofthe additional inflatable chamber pushes the particulate solid together,and expels fluid from between the particles of the solid. This greatlyincreases the friction between the particles and allows the particles tobind together to form a pseudo-solid structure.

Treatment is carried out working through the inflatable retractiondevice as normal. When treatment is complete, the vacuum is released,and fluid is pumped back into the additional chamber once more to washthe particulate solid out of the additional inflatable chamber and toallow the inflatable retraction device to be removed from the body.

The method according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11Athrough 11C, which show a polyhedral Type IA inflatable retractiondevice 301. The main inflatable chamber 303 is inflated with a suitableinflation gas passed through the main inflation tube 305 in the normalway. The additional inflation tube 307 for filling the additionalinflatable chamber 309 is connected to the slurry filling apparatus 311.

The slurry filling apparatus comprises a reservoir R for the slurry S.The slurry S comprises particles, such as the particle P, of aparticulate solid in a liquid L. The reservoir R has a slurry outletthat is connected to the forward inlet of the reversible pump P. Theforward outlet of the reversible pump P is connected through theswitchable filter F to the first port of the 2-way valve V. The secondport of the 2-way valve V is connected to a vacuum line VAC. The commonport of the 2-way valve V is connected to the second inflation tube 307.

The 2-way valve V is set to connect its first port to the common portand the filter F is set to its off position. The pump P is operated inits forward direction to pump the slurry S into the additionalinflatable chamber 309. The inflatable retraction device 301 with itsmain inflatable chamber 303 inflated with inflation gas and itsadditional inflatable chamber filled with slurry S is shown in FIG. 11A.The slurry S in the additional inflatable chamber comprises particles,such as the particle P', of a particulate solid in the liquid L.

The filter F is then switched to its on position and the pump P isreversed. The pump P pumps the slurry S out of the additional inflatablechamber 309, but the filter F traps the particles of the particulatesolid component of the slurry remain inside the additional inflatablechamber, and only the liquid component L of the slurry S is returned tothe reservoir R. The inflatable retraction device 301 with its maininflatable chamber 303 inflated with inflation gas and its additionalinflatable chamber filled with particles, such as the particle P', ofthe particulate solid component of the slurry is shown in FIG. 11B.

The 2-way valve V is then set to connect its second port to its commonport. This connects the vacuum line VAC to the additional inflation tube307. The vacuum line VAC reduces the pressure inside the additionalchamber 309. External pressure on the envelope of the additional chamberforces the envelope inwards and consolidates the particles of theparticulate solid. Inflation pressure in the main inflatable chamber 303is then released. FIG. 11C shows the inflatable retraction device 301after the additional inflatable chamber 309 has been evacuated. Theparticles, such as the particle P', of the particulate solid componentof the slurry are compacted and provide the additional inflatablechamber 309 with considerably more strength than if the additionalinflatable chamber were filled with an inflation gas. The maininflatable chamber 303 is in its depressurized state and an aperture 313has been cut in the envelope of the main inflatable chamber to provideaccess to the organ to be treated.

The 2-way valve V and the vacuum line VAC can be dispensed with if thepump P is capable of pulling a vacuum of more than x mm of mercury(kPa). The pump P is the left running after all the liquid has beenremoved from the additional inflatable chamber 309 to reduce thepressure in the additional inflatable chamber and consolidate theparticulate solid.

With relatively small retraction devices, a large syringe can be usedfor the pump P and the reservoir R. The same or a different syringe canalso be used to evacuate the additional inflatable chamber.

Particulate solids other than glass beads can be compacted by heatingthem or cooling them. Moreover, with such particulate solids, it may notbe necessary to remove the liquid component of the slurry beforecompacting takes place. FIG. 11D shows the Type IA inflatable retractiondevice 321, which includes the inner pipe 309 running through theadditional inflatable chamber 309. Once the additional inflatablechamber has been filled with the slurry, and the liquid component of theslurry removed, if necessary, a fluid at a suitable temperature iscirculated through the inner pipe inlet 317, an inner pipe outlet (notshown), and the inner pipe 315. The temperature change caused by thefluid circulating in the inner pipe 315 consolidates the matter fillingthe additional inflatable chamber. If the particulate solid isconsolidated by heating, a suitable electrical heating element can besubstituted for the inner pipe 315.

4. SELF-RETRACTING ENDOSCOPE

During endoscopic observation within the body, it is often impossible tosee a wide enough area at one time because other organs or tissuesobstruct the field of view of the endoscope. Retraction devices of thetype described in this application, in the prior application, andelsewhere can be used to provide retraction and obtain an unobstructedview. The process of correctly positioning the retraction device,deploying it, opening up one or more observation windows, and removingthe retraction device after the observations are complete is cumbersome.A self-retracting endoscope according to the fourth aspect of theinvention provides local retraction in the vicinity of the distal end ofthe endoscope to provide an unobstructed wide field of view.

(a) Inflatable Self-Retracting Endoscope

An inflatable self-retraction endoscope 201 according to the inventionis shown in FIGS. 12A through 12D. The self retracting endoscope 201comprises a substantially tubular optical assembly 203 and an inflatableretraction device 205. The optical assembly 203 can be the same as theoptical assembly used in known optical or video endoscopes.

The inflatable retraction device 205 is attached to the outer surface207 of the optical assembly 203, close to the distal end of the opticalassembly. The inflatable retraction device 205 is provided with aninflation tube 209 through which it is inflated into the expandedcondition shown in FIG. 12A, once inside the body.

The inflatable retraction device, when inflated, is shaped like a hollowfrustum of a cone having its narrow end towards the optical assembly203. The shape of the inflatable retraction device 205 is designed suchthat it does not obstruct the peripheral view from the optical assembly203 when the optical assembly is set to its widest viewing angle.

In the preferred embodiment, the inflatable retraction device 205comprises a stack of toroidal balloons 211 made of a suitableelastomeric or non-elastomeric flexible material. The diameter of thetoroidal balloons increases in the distal direction to prevent theinflatable retraction device from reducing the field of view of theoptical assembly 203.

Alternatively, the version of the inflatable retraction device 205 shownin FIG. 12B can be made from two sector-shaped pieces of an inelasticflexible material 213 and 215, respectively. Opposing straight sides ofeach piece of material are connected together to form a truncated cone.The truncated cone formed from material 213 is placed over the truncatedcone made from the material 215, and the curved sides of the truncatedcones are joined together. The slanting sides of the truncated cones arealso tacked together with the tacks 217 to give the resulting hollowfrustum substantially parallel inner and outer slanting sides.

The self-retracting endoscope 201 is supplied with the inflatableretraction device packed in a collapsed condition 219 flat against theouter surface 207 of the optical assembly 203, as shown in FIG. 12C. Analternative construction of the self-retracting endoscope 201 for use inan insufflated body cavity is shown in FIG. 12D. The optical assembly203 includes a waisted portion 221 that accommodates the inflatableretraction device in its collapsed state 219 within the overall diameterof the optical assembly. The optical assembly 203 also accommodates theinflation tube 209 internally so that the self-retracting endoscope 201has a substantially constant circular cross-section that can form a sealwith the gas-tight port of a trocar tube.

(b) Method of Using the Self-Retracting Endoscope

The method according to the invention of using the self-retractingendoscope 201 according to the invention to make observations within abody cavity is illustrated in FIG. 12E, in which the endoscope is usedto observe the gall bladder. An incision I is made in the abdominal wallBW. A trocar tube T is inserted and the abdomen is insufflated usingknown techniques to provide working space. The self-retracting endoscope201 is inserted into the abdomen through the gas-tight port P on thetrocar tube T and is advanced past the bowel B and under the liver Linto the vicinity of the gall bladder GB.

With a conventional endoscope, part of the gall bladder can be observed,but attempts to see the gall bladder as a whole are thwarted by theliver L When the conventional endoscope is drawn away from the gallbladder GB to obtain a view of the gall bladder as a whole, the liverdrops back into place and obstructs the view.

In the method according to the invention of using the self-retractingendoscope 201 according to the invention, the distal tip of theendoscope is placed close to the surface of the gall bladder GB, and asource of inflation gas (not shown) is attached to the inflation tube209. The inflation gas pressure is gradually increased to expand theinflatable retraction device 205. As the inflatable retraction device205 expands, it pushes the distal tip of the endoscope away from thegall bladder, enlarging the field of view, and retracting the liver toprevent the liver from obstructing the view of the gall bladder.

After the observations have been made, the inflation pressure in theinflatable retraction device 205 is released to collapse the inflatableretraction device. The inflatable retraction device is then evacuated toretract it fully. The distal tip of the self-retracting endoscope 201can then be moved to a different observation site (if accessible fromthe incision I) and the inflation-observation-deflation sequence isrepeated. In some circumstances, it may not be necessary to deflate theinflatable retraction device to change the observation site.

(c) Self-Retracting Endoscope with Mechanical Retractor

A self-retracting endoscope with a mechanical retractor according to thefourth aspect of the invention is shown in FIGS. 12F and 12G. Theself-retracting endoscope 201 comprises a substantially tubular opticalassembly 203 and an expandable mechanical retractor 223. The opticalassembly 203 can be the same as the optical assembly used in knownoptical or video endoscopes.

The expandable mechanical retractor 223 comprises a fixed hub 225 and aslidable hub 227. The fixed hub 225 and the slidable hub 227 areinterconnected by a plurality of springy metal or plastic strips orwires 229. In the preferred embodiment, optical quality transparentstrips are used. The fixed hub 225 is affixed to the extension 231 onthe distal end of the optical assembly 203. The extension 231 can be aplurality of thin, stiff wires, or can be a hollow cylinder of atransparent plastic. The expandable mechanical retractor is expanded bysliding the slidable hub 227 axially along the outer surface 207 of theoptical assembly by a suitable mechanism (not shown). The mechanismallows the slidable hub to be locked in position to keep it in itsexpanded condition. In its expanded condition, the expandable mechanicalretractor retracts organs obstructing the field of view from the distalend of the optical assembly.

FIG. 12F shows the expandable mechanical retractor in its collapsedcondition with the strips 229 of the retractor lying substantiallyparallel to the outer surface 207 of the optical assembly. Theself-retracting endoscope is inserted into the body in this state. FIG.12G shows the expandable mechanical retractor 223 in its expandedcondition. The slidable hub 227 has been slid in the distal directionaxially along the outer surface 207 of the optical assembly 203 and hasbeen locked in place. This causes the strips 229 to move radiallyoutwards to form the structure shown in FIG. 12G, which retracts organsor tissues that would otherwise obstruct the view from the opticalassembly. Observations are carried out looking though the strips 229 andthe extension 231. After observations have been completed, the slidablehub 227 is slid proximally along the outer surface 207 of the opticalassembly to return the expandable retractor to its collapsed conditionso that the self-retracting endoscope can be withdrawn from the bodycavity.

5. INSERTION TUBE

Inflatable retraction devices in their collapsed state haveconventionally been packed in a substantially cylindrical package forinsertion into the body prior to deployment. The cylindrical package hasconventionally been introduced into the body by pushing it through asuitably-sized trocar tube or introducer sleeve. If the outside diameterof the package has been close to the diameter of the diameter of thebore of the trocar tube, there is a tendency for the package to stick inthe bore of the trocar tube. Pushing the package harder causes thepackage to buckle, and wedges the package more firmly. An insertion tubeaccording to a fifth aspect of the invention draws the packagedretraction device into the body and avoids problems with the packagesticking.

(a) Insertion tubes

The most basic form of the insertion tube 241 according to the fifthaspect of the invention is shown in FIG. 13A. The insertion tube 241comprises a tube 243 and a string 249 having a first end 251 and asecond end 253. The first end 251 of the string passes distally outsidethe tube 243. At the distal end 244 of the tube, the first end of thestring passes into the bore 247 of the tube, passes proximally throughthe bore, and emerges from the proximal end 246 of the tube. The firstend 251 of the string is attached to the proximal end 255 of thepackaged inflatable retraction device 257. To reduce friction betweenthe string 249 and the distal end 244 of the tube, the tube 243 shouldhave a relatively thick wall, and the distal end 244 should be rounded.A radial groove can be made in the distal end to locate the string, ifdesired.

A less basic form of the insertion tube 241 according to the fifthaspect of the invention is shown in FIG. 13B. The insertion tube 241comprises a tube 243 having a small eyelet 245 attached to its distalend 244. The insertion tube 241 also comprises a string 249 having afirst end 251 and a second end 253. The first end 251 of the stringpasses distally through the bore 247 of the tube, through the eyelet245, passes proximally back through the bore, and emerges from theproximal end 246 of the tube. The first end 251 of the string isattached to the proximal end 255 of the packaged inflatable retractiondevice 257.

An improved variation of the insertion tube 241 according to theinvention is shown in FIG. 13C. In the improved variation, the string iscontained within the insertion tube, unlike the version shown in FIG.13A, and the bore 247 of the tube 243 lacks the eyelet 245 that couldsnag the packaged inflatable retraction device 257 in the version shownin FIG. 13B. The improved version of the insertion tube 241 has anarrow-bore tube 255 attached to the outer wall 257 of the tube 243. Thedistal end of the narrow-bore tube extends slightly beyond the distalend of the tube 243 to aid in ejecting the packaged inflatableretraction device 257 from the bore 247. To give the insertion tube asmooth outer wall, the tube 243 and the narrow-bore tube 255 areenclosed in an outer tube 259.

The narrow-bore tube 255 can also be attached to the bore 247 of thetube, as shown in FIG. 13D. This eliminates the need for the outer tube249.

In the versions of the insertion tube shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D, thefirst end 251 of the string 249 passes distally through the bore of thenarrow-bore tube 255. At the distal end of the narrow-bore tube, thefirst end of the string enters the bore 247 of the tube 243, passesproximally through the bore 247, and emerges from the proximal end 246of the tube. The first end 251 of the string is attached to the proximalend 255 of the packaged inflatable retraction device.

(b) Method of Using an Insertion Tube

The method according to the invention of placing a substantiallycylindrical package, for example, an packaged inflatable retractiondevice, into the body using an insertion tube according to the inventionis as follows. The distal end of the insertion tube is inserted into thebody by inserting it into a trocar tube in place in the body. If thebody is insufflated, the insertion tube is passed through a gas-tightport on the trocar tube, and is fitted with a gas-tight port itself. Theinsertion tube is manipulated to bring its distal end close to the pointat which it is desired to deposit the inflatable retraction device. Thefirst end 251 of the string is attached to the proximal end 255 of thepackaged inflatable retraction device. The distal end of the packagedinflatable retraction device is inserted into the proximal end of thebore 247 of the tube, and the packaged inflatable retraction device ispushed into the bore of the tube as far as it will go.

The insertion tube 241 is then grasped with one hand and the second end253 of the string is grasped with the other. The second end of thestring is then pulled proximally to draw the packaged inflatableretraction device through the bore 247 of the tube. Because the firstend 251 of the string is attached to the proximal end 255 of thepackaged retraction device, a final pull on the second end 253 of thestring ejects the packaged inflatable retraction device from the bore ofthe tube. The insertion tube 241 is then withdrawn from the trocar tube,and the inflatable retraction device is released from its packaging.This also detaches the string 249 from the inflatable retraction device.The string 249 and the packaging are withdrawn from the body through thetrocar tube. The inflatable retraction device is then deployed in thenormal way.

We claim:
 1. A method for retracting an organ inside the body to gainaccess to an adjacent tissue, the method comprising the stepsof:providing an inflatable chamber attached to an open distal end of ahollow tube, wherein the inflatable chamber has a window locatedopposite the open distal end of the hollow tube; inserting an endoscopeinto the hollow tube so that a distal end of the endoscope protrudesbeyond the open distal end of the hollow tube and is located within theinflatable chamber adjacent the window, wherein the inflatable chamberis in a deflated state and comprises an assembly along with the hollowtube and the endoscope; inserting a distal end of the assembly into anincision; viewing through the endoscope while manipulating the assemblyto bring the distal end of the assembly into proximity with a tissue;inflating the inflatable chamber to retract an adjacent organ; andfurther viewing through the endoscope while manipulating the assemblyand the inflated chamber to position the window into proximity with thetissue.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the assembly has a detachablesleeve covering the deflated chamber prior to insertion, and wherein themethod further comprises the step of removing the detachable sleevebefore inflating the inflatable chamber.
 3. The method of claim 1further comprising the steps of inserting a trocar tube into theincision, and then inserting the assembly through the trocar tube. 4.The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of insufflating thepatient prior to inserting the assembly.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein the inflatable chamber includes a first inflatable chamber and asecond inflatable chamber, and wherein the step of inflating theinflatable chamber is performed by first inflating the first inflatablechamber to retract an adjacent organ, and then viewing through theendoscope while manipulating the assembly and the first inflatedchamber, and then inflating the second inflated chamber to furtherretract the organ.
 6. An apparatus for retracting an organ inside thebody to gain access to an adjacent tissue, the apparatus comprising:ahollow tube having a distal end; an inflatable chamber attached to andextending beyond the distal end of the hollow tube, wherein theinflatable chamber has a window located opposite the distal end of thehollow tube; means for inflating the inflatable chamber; an endoscopeinserted into the hollow tube so that a distal end of the endoscopeprotrudes beyond the distal end of the hollow tube and is located withinthe inflatable chamber adjacent the window; and detachable coveringmeans covering the portion of the endoscope and deflated inflatablechamber that protrudes beyond the distal end of the hollow tube.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6 further comprising a trocar tube that receives thehollow tube.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a gas-tightseal between the hollow tube and the trocar tube.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein the inflatable chamber includes a first inflatablechamber and a second inflatable chamber, each having separate means forinflating.